Factors Associated With Covid-19 Vaccination Hesitancy Among Healthcare Workers in Selected Facilities in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Study Background The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is instrumental in the fight and control of COVID-19 in the world. Nevertheless, vaccination hesitancy is a major concern that dents these efforts and limits the capability of ensuring complete control of the disease. Broad Objective To determine factors associated with Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy among healthcare workers in selected facilities in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Methods An analytical hospital-based cross-sectional approach was used to do the study in Trans Nzoia County. The study participants consisted of doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technicians, and technologists as well as public health technicians and officers. On the other hand, from each facility a simple random sampling was used in the selection of respondents proportionate to the size, and data was gathered using intervieweradministered questionnaires. SPSS version 25 was used to enter and analyze data where descriptive were presented in percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviation, On the other hand, binomial regression models were fitted for analysis of inferential statistics that were presented as odds ratios to determine the effects of independent variables on the dependent variable. Results According to the findings males (AOR= 4.080, CI: 1.058-15.733; p<0.041), Married HCWs (AOR=4.990, CI: 1.660-15.000; p<0.004), HCWs with five years and more experience (AOR= 12.282, CI: 3.357-44.941; p<0.001) and HCWS with knowledge of antivaccine (AOR=16.633, CI: 5.434-50.917; p<0.001) were more likely to express vaccine hesitancy contrary to their counterparts. Conclusion and Recommendations Socio-demographic factors such as gender (male), marital status (married), and work experience (more than five years) were more likely to be hesitant towards the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Contextual factors such as trust in the government and health worker information, knowledge of antivaccine groups, and past vaccination events are related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst HCWs. Concerning vaccine-specific factors the HCWs were partly satisfied with professional answers thus resulting in COVID-19 hesitancy. Most of the healthcare workers opted to wait and see what others do before taking up the vaccine. There is a need to implement critical strategies that target socio-demographics factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, provision of regular and reliable information, and regular assistance for healthcare workers.